
Associated Press - November 14, 2009 12:44 PM ET
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - More than two dozen officials from a South Florida police department helped guard the homes and businesses of a lawyer accused of running a $1 billion Ponzi scheme.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports that 28 Fort Lauderdale Police Department officials, including captains, undercover officers and the agency spokesman, worked off-duty at Scott Rothstein's properties.
Records show the officers guarded Rothstein's home in Habor Beach, his Bova Prime restaurant in Las Olas and the nearby Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler law firm. The work was so heavy it required two police officials to coordinate.
Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley says he is standing by his decision.
The FBI says Rothstein's scheme likely involved thousands of investors in the U.S. and abroad.
Information from: South Florida Sun Sentinel, http://www.sun sentinel.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.